This section is for discussions with other women who have probably been through the same signs/symptoms that you may be experiencing. Please note, we cannot offer medical advice and encourage members to discuss their concerns with their doctors. New members, come on in and introduce yourself!

With my son, I had severe pre-e and was induced at 34w2d. I had an appt with a MFM 2 weeks ago, and he said that there's no reason why this can't go on to be a normal pregnancy to full term. He said he'd write a letter to my ob suggesting that I get baseline lab & urinalysis, but that I could be treated by my regular ob. My BP was taken at this appt and was 118/78 (my non-pregnant BPs are typically right around there).

Well, last Friday I wasn't feeling well at all. I felt dizzy and nauseous, and basically couldn't do anything but lie down. On Saturday I felt better, but then developed a killer headache. And the past few days I've just felt a bit "off" so I had a co-worker take my BP today which was 142/78. So the systolic was a little high. I called my ob, and they told me to take it easy today and come in tomorrow for an appointment.

I'm just nervous because I'm only 8 weeks along. Anybody else experience something similar? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

So I've been taking my pressures and they've been consistently in the 140s/80s. I saw my OB yesterday (who happened to be the only one in the group who I don't like much) and she basically told me to stop worrying and they're not going to do anything about it. She asked me why I was taking my pressures and I replied b/c I was having headaches and feeling crappy, and she said that it could be that my BPs are up as a result of not feeling well, and that it's probably just 1st trimester stuff. She did order labs & a 24 hour urine for a baseline, which I will do next week.

Your OB's reactions don't inspire confidence. I've always been encouraged, throughout my pregnancy, to monitor my BP at home frequently. Also, I definitely felt crummy first trimester but that didn't result in high BP.

Do you have any other options for your OB care? Or is there a possibility of also seeing a specialist?

First pregnancy, due September 2012. Chronic hypertension, no signs of PE yet...fingers crossed!

I would think it was because it is so early in your pregnancy that your bps are unlikely to be PE. In saying that, it could be that you are a chronic hypertensive that is only revealed when pregnant. I was told this last pregnancy and didn't give it much thought as my bp's always returned to baseline after a few months postpartum. The more I have read about PE the more I understand that it usually shows around week 22 + because that is when the strain on your body starts winning out over the resistance your body has. PE is being thought of along the lines of an auto-immune disorder so it makes sense that it shows in the later stages rather than early ones. So it could be that a tendency towards high bp is laying dormant and BP uncovers it. In saying that, you may be someone who benefits from having BP under control from the early stages. I have had PE in my three previous pregnancies and last time the symptoms started at 22 weeks which was about 8 weeks earlier than previous. It freaked me out! My first I managed to get to 35weeks with hospital bed rest etc. This time around the hospital is still not keen to see me until I develop symptoms, which is a foregone conclusion. My BP is 130's/80's and not of concern. Protein hasn't even been monitored. I think stress and pain (related to your headaches) will definitely push your bp up. Some times the monitoring pushes it up too.

My understanding is that most docs won't medicate those kinds of pressures. Unless pressures are consistently high they don't want to put you on BP meds and risk pressures dropping too low and possibly impairing blood flow to the baby. (of course severely high pressures can damage the placenta so it is definitely a bit of a balancing act).

Being in pain (like from a migraine) or being sick can definitely up my BP a little. If you are worried this is a new trend you could always continue to check your pressures at home.